Decorate from the floor up

Piece by piece: Bring in sofa fabric swatches and paint chips, then choose a rug to pick up the colors in your furnishings. An area rug can integrate or harmonize eclectic elements.

Match shape to space: It may seem obvious, but go with a round rug under a round table. For hallways, get a runner that mimics the long shape. In living areas, a rug should mirror the shape of the space between sofas or the sofa and chair.

Rich texture: Sculptured effects, height variation and soft patterns increase the perception of quality, and offer contrast to smooth furniture surfaces, walls and counters.

That ‘70s show: People are moving toward clean, uncluttered

decor, so they want a carpet with minimalist design but rich texture. The orange, red and brown furnishings popular now -- in a return to the ‘70s -- look good with solid-color rugs that coordinate or rugs with a white border and multicolor accents.

More trend watching: Berber is still trendy and provides visual

interest. The newest berbers have extreme differences in pile cut -- for extra texture and height variation -- and thicker, deeper loops. Shags are picking up too. Wool rugs with felt accents woven in are also becoming popular.

-- Maryann Hammers